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What a day. What a crowd. What a feeling.
No Kings Day in D.C. was everything it was meant to be: loud, joyful, defiant, patriotic, and human. You could feel the pulse of democracy in the air. The streets were filled with people of every age, color, and creed saying the same thing: No Kings in America. Not now. Not ever.
I asked people [ [link removed] ] why they were there. The answers varied—to defeat fascism, to restore the rule of law, to protest corruption, to remind the world that dissent is patriotic. One woman said she came because she loves her country too much to stay quiet. Another said, “To defend democracy.” That says it all.
The sun was blazing, the crowd kept growing, and the energy was contagious. It was a much-needed reminder of who we are when we show up, speak up, and stand together. Peacefully but emphatically, we told those who would destroy our democracy that we love America. And they won’t take our America away from us without a fight.
That scene was replicated by millions of Americans in cities, towns, and hamlets across this great country yesterday. I hope you got to experience it too—the laughter, the chants, the signs, the hope. No Kings Day was proof that the spirit of democracy is alive and well, and that We the People are still, proudly, the power.
Joe
In Today's Issue
The Social Briefing: Heroes of the Week
Good Reads for This Week
The Social Share
The Social Soundboard
This Past Week
SUBSTACK LIVE: Open to all subscribers, unless noted. Don’t miss it!
Tuesday with Mike Brock [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Wednesday with Michael Cohen [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Wednesday AMA for Paid Subscribers [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Thursday with Edwin Eisendrath [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Thursday with Mike Madrid [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Friday with Mike Nellis [ [link removed] ] (click if you missed it)
Amid all the bad [ [link removed] ], awful [ [link removed] ], dumb [ [link removed] ], stupid [ [link removed] ], absurd [ [link removed] ], insane [ [link removed] ], sickening [ [link removed] ], despicable [ [link removed] ], cruel [ [link removed] ], sad [ [link removed] ], pathetic [ [link removed] ], embarrassing [ [link removed] ], irresponsible [ [link removed] ], demoralizing [ [link removed] ], deplorable [ [link removed] ], infuriating [ [link removed] ], outrageous [ [link removed] ], terrible [ [link removed] ], horrible [ [link removed] ], Constitution-defying [ [link removed] ], fascist [ [link removed] ] news of the past week, we have to acknowledge the TOP FIVE HEROES among us. The list is growing, as more and more of us are standing up to the tyrant. Courage is infectious. Be brave!
YOU! To everyone who protested on No Kings Day yesterday, THANK YOU! Americans all across this country stood up to defeat fascism, defend democracy, and restore the rule of law. That matters. Now let’s keep going.
COLONEL DOUG KRUGMAN. The former Marine and combat veteran has resigned [ [link removed] ]after 24 years of service because he fears for our country’s future under Trump. “Instead of trying to work within the Constitution, or to amend it, President Trump is testing how far he can ignore it,” he writes. Respect. Defending the Constitution, like he swore to do.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS. He cut off [ [link removed] ] JD Vance when he refused to answer whether Tom Homan accepted [ [link removed] ] a bribe in a sting operation: “It’s not a weird left-wing rabbit hole. I didn’t insinuate anything. I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50,000, as was heard on an audiotape recorded by the FBI in September 2024. And you did not answer the question.” Thank you for sticking to the facts, George. Reporting at its best.
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SUSAN ILLSON. Judge lllson previously blocked part of Trump’s federal workforce reduction plans. Now she’s temporarily blocked [ [link removed] ] his layoffs of federal workers. The ruling suspends many of the layoffs already issued and prevents the administration from issuing more while the case moves forward. “It’s a human cost that cannot be tolerated,” she said. And she’s damn right.
CSU FACULTY MEMBERS. The California Faculty Association is suing [ [link removed] ] California State University after it shared the names and contact information of more than 2,600 workers with the federal government to support investigations of alleged antisemitism–without giving staff any notice. Faculty members want to prevent further cooperation with the Trump Administration to disclose their personal information without their consent. The investigations are “a witch hunt” says [ [link removed] ] Brian Soucek, UC Davis law professor. Well done.
Did we miss anyone? Send your heroes our way [ mailto:[email protected] ]!
Good Reads for This Week
Why We Resist [ [link removed] ] —Lucid
It’s Getting Worse [ [link removed] ]—The xxxxxx
The Trump Era Will Test Us. What Are You Willing to Risk? [ [link removed] ] —YES! Magazine
Trump’s Orders Targeting Anti-Fascism Aim to Criminalize Opposition [ [link removed] ]
—Brennan Center for Justice
Opinion: I Resigned from the Marine Corps Because of President Trump [ [link removed] ] —The Washington Post
The Vote-Counters Have Changed Hands—and America Should Pay Attention [ [link removed] ] —Jack Hopkins Now
The Return of the Bern [ [link removed] ] —CNN
Mash of Civilizations [ [link removed] ] —The Dispatch
The Great Moral Inversion [ [link removed] ] —Notes from the Circus
Is Love the Answer? [ [link removed] ] —Missives from a Middle-Aged Man
WATCH: The Hoods Are Off! The GOP Embraces Nazis [ [link removed] ] —The Left Hook
I continue to believe the cruelty of the Trump Administration will ultimately help defeat MAGA. Most Americans are not cruel. Keep spreading the word. And share [ mailto:[email protected] ] the stories and videos you find with us.
Man patrols Chicago suburb dressed as Hitler—threatening to call ICE. “My problem is illegals and Jews...Heil Fuhrer Trump!” Giving Nazi salute. “Do you wanna see ICE? They’re gonna show up at your house.” Swastikas were painted on city signs the very same day—on the same street. —LongTimeHistory [ [link removed] ]
Her 13-Year-Old Son Was Arrested, Then Taken by ICE to a Detention Facility [ [link removed] ] —CNN
Green Card Holder Paramjit Singh Still in ICE Custody, Family Says Second Brain Tumor Surgery Delayed Due to Detention [ [link removed] [link removed] ] —The Times of India
U.S. Marine’s Parents Detained by ICE While Visiting Military Base [ [link removed] ]
—Newsweek
ICE Takes Custody of at Least 7 in Hamden Car Wash Raid, Officials Say [ [link removed] ] —CT Insider
ICE’s Use of Full-Body Restraints During Deportations Raises Concerns Over Inhumane Treatment [ [link removed] ] —AP News
L.A. County Declares State of Emergency Over Immigration Raids [ [link removed] ] —The New York Times
FIGHTING BACK
Priests and Nuns Blocked from Bringing Communion at ICE Facility—So They Held A Parking Lot Vigil [ [link removed] ] —Letters from Leo
Here’s what some of you are thinking about this week…
I just call them the “radical racist right.” They go crazy over that. —William N.
We’ll march all across this country because we love America and refuse to let an adjudicated sex offender, serial criminal, and political terrorist who threatened the lives of so many on Jan. 6 to repress our Democracy. JD Vance said it all—he referred to Donald Trump as, and I quote, “America’s Hitler.”
Vance meant it when he said it, and all of us are seeing Trump play out the parallel with Hitler right here. Unimaginable? Well it’s happening. And weak, scared Republicans bow to Trump with no courage. And that will be their legacy—shame on them. —Jeff R.
Much as we care about climate change, racial justice, cost of living/housing/healthcare, endless wars, etc., unless these are directly (and secondarily) tied to our messaging about saving our democracy, it will dilute the power, and come across as a ‘Fix Everything!’ protest.
Thanks for your message today! —Doug S.
Thank you for your voice!
Can the governors get together and unite to fight back against this administration’s many illegal policies? Is there a way to hold back funding from states to this government, or would that hurt everyone?
Do you think there’s a chance that the states’ gerrymandering could backfire? Am I being naive? What else can I do? I’ve donated, protested(ing), called my Republican Congressman, and voted. I feel so helpless.
Thanks for your hard work and reporting. Stay safe. —Kathy B.
Hey, I want to hear from you! Want to send us a 600-word op-ed or video clip on how we can mend our frayed social contract and rebuild an America that works? Want to appear with Joe on Substack Live? Just need to vent? Send it our way!
Tell us your story and share your feedback about our Substack community by emailing our editor at [email protected] [ mailto:[email protected] ]. We look forward to hearing from you!
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